local anaesthesia Flashcards
what is a local anaesthetic?
they are non-selective modifiers of neuronal function
-ie. they block action potentials in all neurons they have access to
selectivity/local effect is achieved by delivering LA to a limited area
what is a possible mechanism of action of LAs?
- blocking/ inactivation of Na+ channels
- hence preventing Na+ ion entry into cells
- resulting in slowing down/complete halting of conduction
how does lipid solubility affect LA action?
higher lipid solubility -> higher potency and duration of action
what are some LAs with higher lipid solubility?
tetracaine (ester),
etidocaine, bupivacaine (amides)
what are some LAs with lower lipid solubility?
procaine (esters),
lidocaine, mepivacaine (amides)
how do the features of nerves affect their susceptibility to blockage by LAs?
nerves that are more susceptible to LAs blocks are:
- smaller
- myelinated
- sensory nerves (have higher frequency of firing)
- circumferential (instead of deep large nerve trunks)
what types of transmissions are blocked first by LAs?
nociceptive, sympathetic
how does pH affect LA activity?
- higher pH (more alkaline environment) -> less proportion of ionised molecules -> INCREASE in LA potency
-note: LAs are generally weak bases, at physiological pH (7.35-7.45)- mostly but not completely ionised
- also: LAs work from WITHIN the cells, so they have to pass through the nerve sheath and axon membranes first before they exert their effects on the INTERNAL end of the sodium channels
what are the 2 types of LAs?
- ester
- amide
name 4 ester-type LAs
cocaine
procaine
tetracaine
benzocaine
name 5 amide-type LAs
lidocaine
mepivacaine
bupivacaine
etidocaine
prilocaine
ropivacaine
which LA is the least potent?
cocaine
what is the most potent ester type LA? what is its relative duration of action?
tetracaine (16)
long duration of action
what are the most potent amide type LAs?
bupivacaine, etidocaine, ropivacaine (16)
all: long duration of action
rank the relative potencies of ester LAs (cocaine ,procaine, tetracaine)
procaine (1) -> cocaine (2) -> tetracaine (16)
rank the relative potencies of amide LAs
mepivacaine (2) -> prilocaine (3) -> lidocaine (4) -> bupivacaine, etidocaine and ropivacaine (16)
what is/are some LA(s) with short duration of action?
procaine
what are some LAs with medium duration of action?
cocaine, lidocaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine
what are some LAs with long duration of action?
tetracaine, bupivacaine, etidocaine, ropivacaine
what are the differences between ester-type and amide-type LAs?
- bond: ester bond vs amide bond
- metabolism: esters by esterases in the plasma, vs amides by hepatic enzymes (esp. CYP450)
- incidence of allergic reaction: low incidence for esters, very low for amides
note: allergic reactions caused by esters are due to ester LAs being hydrolysed into PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) derivatives